Milo: Name Meaning, Origin, & Popularity

Boy name origins & meanings

What does Milo mean and stand for?

Meaning:

Latin: Soldier or merciful
German: Beloved, soft-hearted, merciful
Slavic: Gracious

Gender: Male

Syllables: 2

Pronunciation: The name Milo is pronounced my-lo

The name Milo has ancient roots, with its origins traced back primarily to Latin and Old German. In Latin, Milo is connected to the word miles, meaning soldier, or misericordia, meaning merciful. Alternatively, in Old German, the name is derived from milo, which means beloved. It is also a form of the Slavic name Miloslav, which means "gracious", from the root milu, meaning "merciful." This versatile name carries a rich history and endearing connotations, making it a timeless choice.

Boy name variations

Family name origins & meanings

Czech and Slovak: from a short form of the personal name Miloslav.

Southern Italian: habitational name from Milo in Catania province, Sicily.

Southern Italian: from a short form of the personal name Emilio, or the Germanic personal name Milo.

Famous people who gave their babies this name

Milo in Pop Culture

Do you know these fictional characters that share this first name?

Milo Thatch from Atlantis: The Lost Empire - The protagonist and cartographer who embarks on a journey to find the lost city of Atlantis.
Milo Murphy from Milo Murphy's Law - A young boy with extreme bad luck who remains optimistic and resourceful.
Milo Ventimiglia from This Is Us - An actor playing Jack Pearson, a loving father and husband featured in the hit TV series.
Milo from The Phantom Tollbooth - A young boy who embarks on a fantastical adventure to bring harmony to the Kingdom of Wisdom.
Milo Boyd from The Bounty Hunter - A former cop turned bounty hunter, portrayed by Gerard Butler, tasked with catching his ex-wife.

Popularity of the Name Milo

According to Social Security Administration data, Milo has been steadily climbing the ranks in popularity over recent years. As of 2023, Milo is ranked within the top 200 baby names in the U.S. This name, which means "soldier" or "merciful," has roots in both Germanic and Latin languages. The spelling of Milo is infinitely more popular than its brother spelling, Mylo, and actually predates its brother name, Miles, which first got its start during the Middle Ages.

Historical figures named Milo include the ancient Greek wrestler Milo of Croton, celebrated for his incredible strength and numerous victories at the Olympic Games. Notable people with this name today include actor Milo Ventimiglia, known for his roles in Gilmore Girls and This Is Us, and writer Milo Yiannopoulos. Milo has also made appearances in fiction, such as Milo Thatch from the animated film Atlantis: The Lost Empire and the character Milo Murphy from the series Milo Murphy's Law. Other fictional characters include those in Catch-22, The Adventures of Milo and Otis, Phantom Tollbooth, The Mask, and The Land Before Time.